Strawberry plant named ‘MARVEL’

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘MARVEL’. This new strawberry plant named ‘MARVEL’ is primarily adapted to the growing conditions of the central coast of California, and is primarily characterized by its medium red fruit color; increased marketable fruit yield; medium to large fruit size; conical to cylindrical fruit shape; achene position that ranges from level with to above the fruit surface; medium to large plant size; medium green foliage color; medium foliage size; petiole pubescence that ranges from moderate to heavy; and strong pubescence of the fruiting truss.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Fragariaananassa.

Variety denomination: ‘MARVEL’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry varietynamed ‘MARVEL’. This new variety is a result of a controlled cross madein 2001 between strawberry variety designated ‘PS-1269’ (patented, U.S.Plant Pat. No. 10,686) and strawberry variety designated ‘PS-2880’(patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,597) in an ongoing breeding program.The variety is botanically known as Fragaria ananassa. The new varietyis distinguished from its parents primarily in fruit color.

The seedling resulting from the aforementioned cross was selected from acontrolled breeding plot in Ventura County, Calif. in the fall of 2003.After its selection, the new variety was asexually propagated by stolonsin a nursery located in San Joaquin County, Calif. The new variety wasextensively tested over the next several years in fruiting fields inVentura County, Calif. This propagation has demonstrated that thecombination of traits disclosed herein as characterizing the new varietyare fixed and remain true to type through successive generations ofasexual reproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘MARVEL’ is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions ofthe central coast of California. This region provides the necessarywinter temperatures required for it to produce a strong vigorous plantand to remain in fruit production from October through December. Thenearby Pacific Ocean provides the needed humidity and moderatetemperatures to maintain fruit quality during the fall productionmonths.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘MARVEL’, which in combination distinguishthis strawberry plant as a new and distinct variety:

-   -   1. Medium red fruit color;    -   2. Increased marketable fruit yield;    -   3. Medium to large fruit size;    -   4. Conical to cylindrical fruit shape;    -   5. Achene position that ranges from level with to above the        fruit surface;    -   6. Medium to large plant size;    -   7. Medium green foliage color;    -   8. Medium foliage size;    -   9. Petiole pubescence that ranges from moderate to heavy; and    -   10. Strong pubescence of the fruiting truss.

The strawberry variety that is believed to be most closely related tothe new strawberry variety ‘MARVEL’ is ‘PS-2880’ (patented, U.S. PlantPat. No. 15,597). In comparison to the similar strawberry variety‘PS-2880’, the new strawberry variety ‘MARVEL’ differs by the followingcombination of characteristics as described in Table 1:

TABLE 1 ‘PS-2880’ (U.S. Plant Pat. Characteristic ‘MARVEL’ No.15,597) 1. Color of mature Medium red Red fruit 2. Fruit weight (gm)23.5 20.7 3. Marketable yield 615-618 457 (gm/plt) 4. Unevenness offruit Weak to medium Medium to strong surface 5. Attitude of calyxSpreading Spreading to reflexed 6. Stolon anthocyanin Weak to mediumMedium intensity 7. Foliage color (upper Medium green Medium to lightgreen surface) 8. Foliage shape in Slightly concave to Slightly concaveto flat cross section convex 9. Interveinal blistering Weak to mediumMedium to strong 10. Foliage gloss Weak to medium Medium to strong 11.Foliage size Medium Medium to large 12. Fruiting truss Strong Mediumpubescence

For identification a series of AFLP molecular markers have beendetermined for this new variety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance oftypical specimens of the new strawberry variety ‘MARVEL’, at variousstages of development as true as it is reasonably possible with colorreproductions of this type. Color in the photographs may differ slightlyfrom the color value cited in the botanical description which accuratelydescribe the color of ‘MARVEL’. The depicted plant and plant parts ofthe new strawberry variety ‘MARVEL’ were taken in Ventura County,Calif., and are approximately 3 to 4 months old:

FIG. 1 shows typical fruiting field characteristics of ‘MARVEL’ taken inthe month of October 2007.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of typical leaf structure of ‘MARVEL’ takenin the month of November 2007.

FIG. 3 shows typical mature and immature fruit of ‘MARVEL’ taken in themonth of October 2007.

FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of mature fruit of ‘MARVEL’ taken in themonth of October 2007.

FIG. 5 shows typical internal and external mature fruit characteristicsof ‘MARVEL’ taken in the month of October 2007.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

‘MARVEL’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The characteristics of the new variety may vary in detail,depending upon variations in environmental factors, including weather(temperature, humidity and light intensity), day length, soil type andlocation.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following descriptionof the new variety ‘MARVEL’, unless otherwise noted, is based onobservations taken during the 2007 growing season in Ventura County,Calif. These measurements and ratings were taken from plants of ‘MARVEL’dug from a low-elevation nursery located in San Joaquin County, Calif.during late January 2007 and planted approximately 6 months later inVentura County, Calif. The approximate age of the observed plants is 3to 4 months. Yield observations and fruit quality characteristics areaveraged from four years of data collected from the 2004 through 2007growing seasons. Flower measurements and characteristics are fromsecondary flowers unless otherwise noted. Fruit characteristics andmeasurements are from secondary fruit unless otherwise noted.

Color terminology where noted follows the Munsell Book of Colors,Munsell Color, Baltimore, Md. (1976).

The following tables 2-8 describe fruit, plant, stolon, foliage,fruiting truss, flower and pest disease characteristics of the newstrawberry ‘MARVEL’ in comparison to the similar strawberry variety‘PS-2880’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. Pat. No. PP 15,597).

TABLE 2 FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-2880’ (U.S. Plant Pat. Characteristic‘MARVEL’ No. 15,597) Color of mature fruit 7.5R 3/8 to 4/10 7.5R 4/8 to3/8 Medium red Red Color of internal flesh 7.5R 3/12 to 4/12 7.5R 3/12to 4/12 Medium red Medium red Length (cm) 4.3 4.7 Width (cm) 3.7 3.6Ratio length/width 1.14 1.29 Slightly longer than Slightly longer thanbroad broad Calyx diameter (cm) 4.6 5.4 Average weight (gm) 23.5 20.7Achene color 5Y 6/8 to 7.5R 3/8 5Y 6/8 to 7.5R 3/8 Ranges from mediumRanges from medium yellow to medium red yellow to medium red Acheneweight (mg) 0.43 0.53 Achenes per berry 402 364 Marketable yield(gm/plt) 615-618 457 Fruit size Ranges from medium Medium to largePredominant shape Ranges from conical to Ranges from conical to almostcylindrical wedged Difference in shapes Moderate Moderate betweenprimary and secondary fruit Band without achenes Absent or very narrowAbsent or very narrow Unevenness of surface Ranges from weak to Mediumto strong medium Evenness of color Even Ranges from even to slightlyuneven Glossiness Ranges from medium Ranges from medium to strong tostrong Insertion of achenes Ranges from level Above the surface with toabove the surface Insertion of calyx In the basin Ranges from in thebasin to level with the fruit Attitude of the calyx Spreading Rangesfrom spreading to reflexed Size of calyx in relation Slightly largerSlightly larger to fruit diameter Adherence of calyx Strong WeakFirmness of skin Medium Medium Firmness of flesh Firm Firm Distributionof red color Marginal and central Marginal and central of the fleshHollow center expression Absent or very weak Ranges from strong tomoderate Flavor Good Fair to good Soluble solids (% Brix) 8.6 7.7 Timeof first flowering Medium Ranges from early to medium Time of firstharvesting Medium Ranges from early to medium Harvest period LateSeptember to mid Late September to mid December December Type of bearingFully everbearing Fully everbearing

TABLE 3 PLANT CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-2880’ (U.S. Plant Pat. Characteristic‘MARVEL’ No. 15,597) Height (cm) 24.3 26.4 Spread (cm) 36.4 35.8 SizeRanges from medium to Ranges from medium to large large Habit GloboseGlobose Density Ranges from medium to Medium dense Vigor Ranges frommedium to Ranges from medium to strong strong

TABLE 4 STOLON CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-2880’ (U.S. Plant Pat. Characteristic‘MARVEL’ No. 15,597) Average number per 7.7 5.3 plant Anthocyaninintensity Ranges from weak to Medium medium Anthocyanin coloration 7.5R4/8 to 5/8 7.5R 4/6 to 5/6 Diameter at bract (mm) 3.3 3.3 Ranges frommedium Ranges from medium to thick to thick Pubescence Strong Strong

TABLE 5 FOLIAGE CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-2880’ (U.S. Plant Pat.Characteristic ‘MARVEL’ No. 15,597) Foliage: Color of upper surface 5GY3/4 to 3/6 7.5GY 3/4 to 4/4 Medium green Ranges from light to mediumgreen Color of under side 5GY 5/4 to 6/4 5GY 5/4 to 6/4 Light grey greenLight grey green Shape in cross section Ranges from slightly Ranges fromslightly concave to slightly concave to flat convex Interveinalblistering Ranges from weak to Ranges from medium medium to strongGlossiness Ranges from weak to Ranges from medium medium to strongNumber of leaflets Three Three Terminal Leaflet: Length (cm) 8.8 10.3Width (cm) 7.8 8.8 Length/width ratio 1.13 1.18 Serrations/leaf 21.022.9 Size Medium Ranges from medium to large Shape of base Acute AcuteShape of teeth Obtuse Obtuse Petiole: Petiole color 5GY 6/6 to 7/6 5GY6/6 to 7/6 Medium yellow green Medium yellow green Length (cm) 15.6 13.9Diameter (mm) 4.1 4.3 Petiolule color 5GY 6/6 to 7/6 5GY 6/6 to 7/6Medium yellow green Medium yellow green Petiolule length (mm) 14.0 15.3Pubescence Ranges from moderate Moderate to heavy Attitude of hairsSlightly outward Slightly outward Stipule: Color 2.5GY 4/6 to 5/6 2.5GY5/6 to 6/6 Medium yellow green Medium yellow green Length (mm) 21.0 26.3Width (mm) 10.6 9.2 Anthocyanin intensity Absent or very weak Absent orvery weak Anthocyanin color 10RP 5/6 to 5/8 10RP 5/6 to 5/8 Red purpleRed purple

TABLE 6 FRUITING TRUSS CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-2880’ (U.S. Plant Pat.Characteristic ‘MARVEL’ No. 15,597) Length (cm) 23.7 27.1 Flowerposition relative Level with the foliage Level with the foliage tofoliage Anthocyanin intensity Absent or very weak Weak Anthocyanin color10RP 8/4 to 9/2 10RP 5/6 to 6/6 Red purple Red purple Pubescence StrongMedium Attitude at first pick Prostrate Prostrate

TABLE 7 FLOWER CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-2880’ (U.S. Plant Pat. Characteristic‘MARVEL’ No. 15,597) Petal color N 9.5/90.0% R to N 9.5/90.0% R to9.25/84.2% R 9.25/84.2% R White White Corolla diameter (mm) 31.9 33.6Calyx diameter (mm) 34.5 34.1 Petal length (mm) 12.0 13.0 Petal width(mm) 12.2 13.8 Petal length/width ratio 0.98 0.95 Petals/flower 5.9 6.5Sepal color 5GY 3/6 to 4/6 5GY 4/4 to 4/6 Medium yellow green Mediumyellow green Sepal length (mm) 12.2 12.3 Sepal width (mm) 5.6 4.4 Sepallength/width ratio 2.19 2.78 Sepals/flower 11.8 12.3 Size of calyxrelative to Ranges from same size Ranges from same size corolla tolarger to larger Size of inner calyx Ranges from same size Smallerrelative to outer calyx to smaller Relative position of OverlappingOverlapping petals

TABLE 8 PEST AND DISEASE REACTIONS ‘PS-2880’ (U.S. Plant Pat.Characteristic ‘MARVEL’ No. 15,597) Two spotted spider mite Moderatelysusceptible Moderately susceptible Lygus bug Susceptible SusceptibleFlower thrips Moderately susceptible Moderately susceptible Powderymildew Moderately susceptible Susceptible Botrytis fruit rot Moderatelysusceptible Moderately susceptible Angular leaf spot Moderatelysusceptible Susceptible

1. A new and distinct strawberry plant named ‘MARVEL’, as herein described and illustrated by the characteristics set forth above. 